Today the National Theatre announces a takeover day in collaboration with community organisations across North Kensington to take place on Sunday 8 October.
The takeover day is part of the National Theatre’s continuing collaboration with people and organisations across North Kensington as part of a multi-year creative project which also included the recent critically acclaimed run of the verbatim production Grenfell: in the words of survivors in the Dorfman theatre platforming the voices of survivors and bereaved of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The takeover day will include free performances, talks, music and workshops for all ages taking place in the front of house spaces of the National Theatre from 12noon – 6pm. Free activities include arts and craft workshops including a collaborative craft workshop with ACAVA, individual painting workshops with Our Power Hub, willow crafts with artist Sophie Lodge who led the #24Hearts movement, group dance showcases by Youth Action Alliance, poetry and music from the Community Team at The Playground Theatre and theatre performances by Caravan Theatre in a pop-up caravan in Theatre Square outside the National Theatre. There will also be DJing from Kids on the Green, poetry readings from Kamitan Arts and a screened theatre performance from Renegade Theatre.
An exhibition titled ‘The History of Social Activism in North Kensington’ will be held in the Wolfson Gallery at the National Theatre showcasing photographs, paintings and news clippings exploring campaigns, protests and marches around social injustice and activism in North Kensington. A programme of talks will be hosted alongside the exhibition delving further into the history of North Kensington. Speakers to be announced.
Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, said, “Through our ongoing collaboration with people and organisations across North Kensington, we have witnessed the huge breadth of talent and creativity from across the area which deserves to be celebrated and showcased. We are greatly excited to platform this takeover day at the National Theatre with our partners and we hope you will take part, be inspired and learn something new from the day”.
Other activity in the community as part of the National Theatre’s continuing collaboration with people and organisations across North Kensington includes young people from across North Kensington taking part in creative writing course Writing for Theatre at Morley College, young people taking on paid long and short-term work placements at the National Theatre, free tickets for National Theatre productions, workshops and learning programmes in local schools.
